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Internet Access 10 Kilometers High Up In The Air

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-special dept.

Marton writes "Lufthansa started rolling out their Flynet service in 2004. It is now available on several long-haul flights such as 411D - the one I'm sitting on right now. It is not cheap ($30 for the duration of a flight) nor is it very fast (satellite-based technology can't deliver the snappy response you are used to on the ground) but it is really, really nice. It's great to be able to check my email, catch up with some work, or just surf the web - airplane time used to be about napping, paperbacks or crappy movies. Now if only they'd let me have a cigarette I could actually be productive too. " Marton also gave us a traceroute which is attached... I'm going to Tokyo in May and crying that Northwest won't have this.

Here's a traceroute from my laptop which is currently on an A-340 10,000 meters up in the air, doing about 800 kilometers per hour, somewhere over the Atlantic bound for Munich.


C:\Documents and Settings\Marton>tracert www.slashdot.org

Tracing route to www.slashdot.org [66.35.250.151]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 2 ms 3 ms 2 ms 172.16.64.1
2 2 ms 2 ms 2 ms cbb-cds-psn.by.boeing [172.16.0.18]
3 3 ms 4 ms 2 ms sbs.by.boeing [172.31.0.1]
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 568 ms 626 ms 576 ms 10.8.20.38
6 703 ms 567 ms 583 ms ltn02r03-vlan25.connexionbyboeing.net [10.8.20.2]
7 580 ms 705 ms 582 ms ltn02r21-fa2-9.connexionbyboeing.net [10.8.16.25]
8 627 ms 582 ms 632 ms 10.8.16.33
9 579 ms 581 ms 581 ms ltn02r01-fa3-3.connexionbyboeing.net [10.8.16.130]
10 619 ms 582 ms 582 ms ltn02r02-fa3-3.connexionbyboeing.net [10.8.16.131]
11 581 ms 582 ms 665 ms 12.125.155.5
12 655 ms 912 ms 1072 ms gbr1-a31s1.dvmco.ip.att.net [12.127.4.134]
13 1144 ms 1612 ms 1939 ms gbr1-p60.la2ca.ip.att.net [12.122.1.29]
14 1500 ms 712 ms 580 ms tbr2-p013301.sffca.ip.att.net [12.122.12.133]
15 613 ms 579 ms 582 ms 12.122.80.57
16 589 ms 608 ms 790 ms dcr1-so-3-0-0.sanfranciscosfo.savvis.net [192.205.32.110]
17 588 ms 605 ms 582 ms dcr2-loopback.SanFranciscosfo.savvis.net [206.24.210.100]
18 609 ms 1774 ms 1079 ms bhr1-pos-0-0.SantaClarasc8.savvis.net [208.172.156.198]
19 610 ms 968 ms 1108 ms csr1-ve243.SantaClarasc8.savvis.net [66.35.194.50]
20 1109 ms 886 ms 998 ms 66.35.212.174
21 630 ms 860 ms 994 ms star.slashdot.org [66.35.250.151]

Trace complete.

22 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. NICE!! by rkv · · Score: 2, Insightful

    if they made it a bit cheaper it would be better though?

    1. Re:NICE!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The typical price of the ticket is $600 economy to $3000 business... does another $30 for internet access really matter.

    2. Re:NICE!! by mqx · · Score: 4, Insightful

      if they made it a bit cheaper it would be better though?

      Sure, and it be better if high-end computing servers were cheaper too, but really: a global plane based relatively high speed internetwork is not cheap to build and run: we're talking about fitting equipment into planes, trials and testing, satellite bandwidth, the cost of satellite services, etc. This is not inexpensive.

      I actually think $30 is not too bad for what you're getting. It's not for everyone, but it's within the reach of many people, considering many of us think nothing about easily spending $30 on a restaurant meal.

      Not only this, but international airlines are not actually loaded with revenue that they could absorb the cost of this service into existing price you pay, and really, I wouldn't want my mother (a non internet user) to pay higher trans-atlantic fares so that she can subsidise web browsers: user pays!

      I'm sure we'll see the service expand and improve in the future, but for now, it's a fairly decent start. I'm not on a 6 figure salary, yet I'd have no problems paying for this service on the 2-3 12+ hour flights I make per year.

    3. Re:NICE!! by rkv · · Score: 3, Insightful

      well if the mobile phone companies can convince the FCC that mobile phones can be used in the air then this 30$ service would'nt be necessary as high speed broadband connection would be available :D. so ya i still think its too much.

    4. Re:NICE!! by Oopsz · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You think your mobile will work over the north atlantic? and what are your data roaming charges going to be in munich/montreal/melbourne?

    5. Re:NICE!! by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 2, Insightful

      For someone who just wants to dick around surfing the web, it's an expensive optional luxury. It's not insanely exhorbitant, but someone who's just bored might think twice. If they're on a tight budget, they won't even seriously consider it. It's not like it's that hard to wait ten to fifteen hours to get back online (for most people =)). It's not like you'll be able to play WoW or HL2 anyway, with that kind of latency.

      For someone who needs internet access to work while they're inflight, it's invaluable, and pays for itself a few times over (at least).

      Eventually the price might come down enough for one to use this service recreationally without wincing at the price. However, satellites are expensive and satellite time is expensive. So you're looking at either cheap ubiquitous satellites at some time in the future, or some scheme to squeeze more bandwith out of a scarce resource.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  2. VoIP by NetStatic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It would be interesting, once the latency goes down a bit, if you could run VoIP over the connection, bringing cheap(er) phone services. Those Verizon Airphones are really expensive.

    --
    sig on vacation
  3. Re:Mwuhahahahha by raju1kabir · · Score: 4, Insightful
    ping -f -s1460 172.16.64.1

    Um, you do know what network 172.16 is in, right? Next will you be launching a DOS against 127.0.0.1?

    --
    "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." -- GBS
  4. Re:If you need slashdot on a plane... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    OK several million geek points out of ten,
    but LEARN TO RELAX
    There's nothing so important that it can't wait
    until you get on the ground, check into your
    hotel (or get home) and have some "me" time.
    Then you'll be in a fit state to make mature
    judgements.
    The worst thing about business today is the
    twitch decisions and responses people make
    when they're tired/jet-lagged/drunk/caffeine o-d'd

  5. Smoking "rights" by AtariAmarok · · Score: 1, Insightful
    The problem with smoking "rights" is that the activity denies others rights: smoking is an activity typically forced on those nearby. Now, if you paid $30 to everyone in a 20 foot radius for the violating of forcing them to smoke every time you abuse tobacco by burning it, you might get somewhere. Everyone might win in this situation!

    Until then, stop whining about being denied the "right" to force other people to consume deadly airborn carcinogens. If you need tobacco so bad, get some chew.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  6. Thought he was pretty cool... by ari_j · · Score: 2, Insightful

    C:\Documents and Settings\Marton>tracert www.slashdot.org

    Man, I thought he was leet until I saw that. What a shame.

    That said, I really don't think this is cost-justified for most people. $30 for the flight to slowly read e-mail and such, things that you can just as easily (and more quickly) do on the ground before or after the flight. There certainly exist situations in which this is worth the money, but the cool factor alone doesn't cover it, at least not for me.

  7. Re:Wow! by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Interesting?

    omg, you slashdot mods are smoking something - it was humour not reality.
    Move your hands away from the mod controls and step out of the vehicle.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  8. Re:Will $30 more also get you smoking rights? by Richard_at_work · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I dont think the safety rules are over the top. You are at 37,000 feet, if you have any sort of emergancy at that altitude its going to take you time to get on the ground, and then evacuate the aircraft, so its a case of limit dangers to only those necessary. Why endanger the aircraft needlessly jsut to pander to someones personal addiction, because thats what it is?

  9. Re:Will $30 more also get you smoking rights? by mattyrobinson69 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    i think its more likely that a dodgy phone battery or something like that could cause a dangerous fire, if you drop a cigarette on your clothes, it takes a while to burn a hole - if you didn't notice it before, youve noticed it now because your now in pain. Unless your wearing one of those 80's shell suits, you'l be fine and so will everybody else (80's shell suits are illegal to sell in the uk now because theyre a fire hazard.

    A small fire would be very easy to put out anyway, im sure the trolly dollies are trained to use a fire extinguisher. how many times (when smoking used to be allowed on planes) did people used to set fire to things with cigarettes?

    i would pay an extra 10% of the price of my ticket to sit in a smoking area because im scared of flying, it'd help calm me down. (i flew home from spain on 11-sept 2004, i was sure i was going to die, even though there was very little chance)

  10. The smokers forced the ban by AtariAmarok · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I remember when it was allowed. Smokers routinely smoked in the non-smoking section, and threw burning trash on the floor of the plane.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  11. Re:Boeing technology by Oopsz · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why? Boeing will fit their addons to a bombardier business jet if you pay them to. Airplanes are just too darn expensive for boeing to be able to use internet access as leverage.

  12. Re:Will $30 more also get you smoking rights? by LnxAddct · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You have a problem and you need help. You are trying to justify smoking on a plane. You can't go a few hours without a smoke? People are doing a favor for your life, how many tmes has it been proven that smoking kills you, and kills you quickly. I'm so glad my city is banning smoking, you people contribute nothing but ill effects to the rest of society. Take a hint and try to quit, its a dirty disgusting habit that shortens your life. It doesn't even calm you until you've become addicted to it. Stop trying to jsutify your actions and instead correct them. Don't force your smoke on other passengers or employees of the airport. If you want to kill yourself, confine it to your house.
    Regards,
    Steve

  13. Productivity? by FooledYouI'mAScript · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Do we need to be more productive? Seems we do well enough. Grab a Neal Stephenson paperback, order the alcoholic beverage of your choice, and enjoy some down time. Barring, of course, overweight people and/or children in the adjacent seats.

  14. Re:Not being on Lufthansa is nothing to cry about by raju1kabir · · Score: 1, Insightful
    Seems to me, that at least 4 years ago Lufthansa was rather at the top in terms of leg room...

    A lot has happened in 4 years, and most of it has been various flavors of European airlines going downhill under intense price pressure from the LCCs. I don't think LH has any planes with 34" seat pitch anymore. You're lucky if you get 32". Check SeatGuru for up-to-date info.

    --
    "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." -- GBS
  15. Re:Will $30 more also get you smoking rights? by rocketfairy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Wow, smokers contribute nothing to society? Take that, Winston Churchill!

  16. Re:If you need slashdot on a plane... by Infirmo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The worst thing about the internet is text formatting?

    Hmmm... I would have thought the worst things were the poorly informed opinions most people have, their deadly committment to those poorly informed opinions, and the average inability to spell common words.

    But I will forget all about those, now that I have heard the truth. It's the text formatting.

  17. Re:Will $30 more also get you smoking rights? by LnxAddct · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How about you're in severe denial. I can't believe you would even argue a point like that, are you nuts? Its been proven time over time again that the things you inhale are the same chemicals responsible for many forms of cancer. The main ingredient in many rat poisons is used in cigarettes.

    The following isn't necessearily directed at you, but just to smokers in general: Please stop living in denial, I'm trying to save your life here. I'm not being a dick or telling you how to live, I've just seen way too many people die from smoking and unfortunately many were very close to me. I've never met you and never will but I do care about your life. Take good advice when you hear it, you won't regret quitting, but you will regret continuing.
    Regards,
    Steve